Appendix D - The Urban Institute Staff Confidentiality Pledge

Appendix D: Urban Institute Staff Confidentiality Pledge

The Urban Institute

STAFF CONFIDENTIALITY PLEDGE

Descriptive Study of County- versus State- Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Programs

Assurance of Confidentiality

The Urban Institute and ICF International assure all respondents and participating organizations that the information they release to this study will be held in the strictest confidence by the contracting organizations and that no information obtained in the course of this study will be disclosed in such a way that individuals or organizations are overtly identifiable by name. However, although individuals will not be cited as sources, information will be presented in a report that may enable a user to infer the identity of the information source. Access to the data in this study is by consent of the respondents who have been guaranteed confidentiality except when the intent to commit a crime or harm themselves is revealed to the researcher. Their right to privacy is protected under law.

I have carefully read and understand this assurance that pertains to the confidential nature of all information and records to be handled in this study. I have read a copy of the “Confidential Data at the Urban Institute – Guidelines for Data Security.” I understand that I must comply with all of data security requirements adapted from those Guidelines for this project as approved by the Urban Institute Institutional Review Board. As an employee of The Urban Institute or ICF International, I understand that I am prohibited from disclosing any such confidential information which has been obtained under the terms of this contract to anyone other than authorized contractor staff and agree to follow the procedures outlined to me during training. I understand that any willful and knowing disclosure of information released to this study may subject an Urban Institute employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

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(Print Your Name) (Signature)

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(Date)

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(Witness signature)

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(Date)